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Irish Aid commits 1.62 million USD to Resilience First programme in Vietnam

The renewed funding will strengthen local authorities’ capacity, support poor and ethnic minority communities in mountainous areas, and enhance resilience to both immediate and long-term climate impacts.
  Irish Aid in Vietnam has committed 1.4 million EUR (1.62 million USD) to the Resilience First programme to strengthen climate resilience and empower ethnic minority women in 13 communes across Tuyen Quang, Quang Tri, and Phu Tho provinces. Photo: Courtesy of CARE Vietnam  

The Resilience First programme, implemented by Plan International Vietnam, CARE International in Vietnam, and the Centre for Research on Initiatives of Community Development, has announced a substantial commitment of 1.4 million EUR (1.62 million USD) in funding from Irish Aid in Vietnam.

The announcement followed a planning event in Phu Thọ province, where partners finalised the programme’s implementation plan for the next 12 months, targeting 13 communes across Tuyen Quang, Quang Tri, and Phu Thọ provinces.

Deirdre Ní Fhallúin, Ambassador of Ireland to Vietnam, said Ireland was proud to continue to support the programme.

“This 1.4 million EUR commitment reflects our dedication to safeguarding vulnerable communities against climate change and empowering ethnic minority women as leaders in their own development,” she noted.

The renewed funding will strengthen local authorities’ capacity, support poor and ethnic minority communities in mountainous areas, and enhance resilience to both immediate and long-term climate impacts.

Ngo Cong Chinh, programme director of Plan International Vietnam, highlighted that strong collaboration among partners had improved the adaptive capacity of over 26,000 people and scaled up women-led, climate-resilient livelihood models. He added that the next phase would bring climate-smart initiatives to more communities.

During 2024–2025, the programme delivered significant community-led results. Under the commune-level climate change adaptation component, officials in 15 communes were trained in vulnerability analysis and developing climate response plans. More than 140 community activities benefited 1,747 people, including 732 women, through training, equipment provision, drills, and public awareness campaigns on climate change and waste management.

Under the infrastructure and capacity-building pillar, 31 micro-projects, including bridges, roads, water facilities, revetments, and reinforced disaster shelters, were completed, with 24 fully managed by communities. Nearly 12,000 residents, mostly ethnic minorities, now benefit from improved mobility, safe shelters, water and irrigation security, and expanded electricity access. A further 247 people received training in project planning and implementation, building long-term technical capacity within communities.

The programme also strengthened climate-resilient schools, assessing 32 schools and implementing plans for disaster preparedness and climate adaptation.

Women’s empowerment and climate-adaptive livelihoods were central to the programme. Over 1,400 participants, mostly women, received training in adaptive farming and resource management. More than 64% of women applied new resilience techniques, 36% reported increased income, and nearly 87% said they now participate confidently in household and community decision-making.

“Empowering women is an investment in community resilience. When women are equipped with knowledge and resources, they become the most powerful agents for driving local climate change adaptation solutions, ensuring communities not only survive but also thrive," said CARE Vietnam Country Director Le Kim Dung.

Mao Quoc Toan, deputy director of Tuyen Quang’s Department of Foreign Affairs, praised the programme’s community-based approach, noting that officials were better trained, schools safer, and women’s groups more confident in economic activity. He added that the new funding is expected to "bring meaningful improvements, especially to highland communes that still face many difficulties."/.

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